Elijah did NOT Run Faster Than a Horse

It has been often taught that Elijah was empowered by God to run faster than a horse could run, but that is not what the Bible says.

45 Gradually, the sky grew darker with clouds and wind, and there was a heavy rain. Ahab got into his chariot to go back to Jezreel. 46 The LORD’s power was on Elijah. He hiked up his robe and ran ahead of Ahab until they came to Jezreel. (1 Kings 18)

Elijah got there before the horse and chariot, but nowhere does it say that the horse was RUNNING! No, it would be impossible for a chariot to travel a dirt road at top speed. Ruts and holes filled such roads and chariots did not have shock absorbers; every tiny bump was felt by the rider. To travel over such roads with the horse running the rider would be in great danger of being thrown out when it hit a every sizeable bump.

And even with small bumps, it would be very hard to even stay standing up. And if he managed to stay in the chariot he would probably arrive at his destination without a tongue; being bounced around in the chariot is a good way to bite your tongue off.

In short, the horse was not running!

But even though the horse was not running, Elijah had to be empowered because a horse can walk a lot faster than a man can walk, so a man would have to run, and for a great distance. Since the horse was walking, Elijah could run faster and arrive before Ahab. God empowered Elijah, not to run faster than a horse, but to run for a great distance without stopping. Elijah was empowered to be a marathon runner.